different between accomplice vs accomplish

English

Etymology

First attested in the 1580s. From Middle English accomplice, from a complice, from Old French complice (“confederate”), from Latin complicare (“fold together”). The article a became part of the word, through the influence of the word accomplish.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?.?k?m.pl?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?.?k?m.pl?s/, /?.?k?m.pl?s/
• Hyphenation: ac?com?plice

Noun

accomplice (plural accomplices)

1. (law) An associate in the commission of a crime; a participator in an offense, whether a principal or an accessory.
   • 1749, Samuel Johnson, Irene

     And thou, the curst accomplice of her treason, Declare thy message, and expect thy doom

   • suspected for accomplice to the fire

2. (rare) A cooperator.

Usage notes

• Followed by with or of before a person and by in or to (or sometimes of) before the crime; as, "A was an accomplice with B in the murder of C"; or, "D was an accomplice to murder".

Synonyms

• abettor, accessory, assistant, associate, confederate, coadjutor, ally, promoter; see abettor.

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English accomplisshen, acomplissen, from Old French acompliss-, extended stem of acomplir (Modern French accomplir), from a- (“to”) (from Latin ad) + complir (or possibly through a Vulgar Latin root *accompl?re), from Vulgar Latin *compl?re, from Latin compl?re (“to fill up, fill out, complete”); see complete.

First attested in the late 14th century.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• (General New Zealand, General Australian) IPA^(key): /??k?m.pl??/
• Hyphenation: a?ccom?plish

Verb

accomplish (third-person singular simple present accomplishes, present participle accomplishing, simple past and past participle accomplished)

1. (transitive) To finish successfully.
2. (transitive) To complete, as time or distance.
   • 1611, King James Version, Daniel 9:2

     That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

   • 1856-1858, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip II

     He had accomplished half a league or more.

3. (transitive) To execute fully; to fulfill; to complete successfully.
   • 1611, King James Version, Luke 22:37

     This that is written must yet be accomplished in me

4. (transitive, archaic) To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
   • 1638, John Wilkins, The Discovery of a World in the Moone

     It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it.

   • 1863, Charles Cowden Clarke, Shakespeare's Characters

     These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman.

5. (transitive, obsolete) To gain; to obtain.
6. (transitive, Philippine English) to fill out a form

Synonyms

• do, perform, fulfill, realize, effect, effectuate, complete, consummate, execute, achieve, perfect, equip, furnish, carry out

Derived terms

• accomplishment

Related terms

• complete
• comply

Translations

References

Further reading

• accomplish at OneLook Dictionary Search
• accomplish in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• accomplish in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.